After Flatpack: Continuing Your Learning Journey as a Software Engineer

So you've successfully completed a software engineering bootcamp, and you're now armed with a solid foundation of skills and knowledge, but the journey is far from over. As a software engineer, continuous learning and adaptation are key to staying relevant and thriving in your career as a software engineer.

1. Embrace the Growth Mindset

One of the most valuable qualities you can cultivate as a software engineer is a growth mindset. This mindset, popularised by psychologist Carol Dweck, is the belief that your abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work.

With a growth mindset, you'll approach challenges as opportunities for growth, and setbacks as valuable learning experiences. In fact, this is the biggest difference between successful engineers and those that end up stagnant in their jobs.

2. Explore Advanced Topics and Specialisations

The world of software engineering is vast, and there are so many areas to explore. Depending on your interests and career goals, it would be a great idea to research and try your hand at advanced topics such as Data Science, Cloud Security, and Advanced Machine Learning and AI.

We also recommend deploying and managing applications in the cloud, which is a crucial skill in modern software development. Much like ML and AI, Flatpack graduates are equipped with a good fundamental knowledge of cloud computing, but the world of cloud infrastructure is vast, and therefore we recommend building projects for a variety of cloud-based technologies.

3. Contribute to Open Source

This is easier said than done, especially for a recent bootcamp graduate, but participating in open-source projects is a fantastic way to improve your skills, collaborate with experienced developers, and give back to the community.

There are two approaches, either contributing to other projects or creating your own.

To contribute to others Find projects that interest you, fork them, and submit pull requests to fix issues or add features. This is exactly the same process as working on your projects at Flatpack.

If you have an idea for a useful tool or library, consider developing it as an open-source project. You'll gain valuable experience in project management and collaboration.

If it's your first time, we recommend looking at apps that you've built. Try to find a part of it that could apply to other applications, then use it as a library on another project. Then you can publish it on GitHub and PyPy or NPM for others to use.

4. Attend Meetups and Conferences

It has been said that 85% of jobs are filled via networking. Whilst this may or may not be true, we have absolutely no doubt Networking and staying connected with your peers is essential in your tech career.

Conferences often feature talks and workshops by industry leaders, providing you with valuable insights and inspiring you to fill gaps in your knowledge. Many of these events are free, some charge a small fee (Just to make sure that you turn up), and some can be quite expensive, so it pays to do some research into the event beforehand.

Most of these events have dedicated 'networking time'. Meeting other professionals can lead to job opportunities, mentorship, and collaborations. (Read point 3 again if you need to)

Additionally, it's a great idea to keep an ear to the ground on the latest tech trends. Technology evolves rapidly, and conferences are a great way to stay informed about the latest trends and best practices.

5. Continue Building a Strong Portfolio

A well-organised portfolio showcasing your projects, code samples, and contributions is a powerful tool in your career. It's a tangible demonstration of your skills and expertise.

We recommend both creating a personal website and using platforms like GitHub to host your portfolio of repositories. We help you make sure you're on the right track during the career support module.

6. Seek Mentorship

Whilst the more introverted bootcamp graduates may cringe at the idea, mentorship can be a game-changer in your career. A mentor can provide guidance, share insights, and help you navigate challenges.

Whilst attending the events we mentioned in point four, get talking to experienced professionals, some may be open to formal or informal mentorship opportunities.

7. Never Stop Learning

The software engineering field is characterised by constant change. New programming languages, frameworks, and tools emerge regularly. Make learning a habit by dedicating time to staying updated on industry trends, taking online courses, and reading technical books and blogs.

In conclusion, completing a software engineering bootcamp is just the beginning of your journey. Embrace the growth mindset, explore advanced topics, contribute to open source, attend industry events, build a strong portfolio, seek mentorship, and maintain a relentless pursuit of knowledge. Your commitment to continuous learning will not only keep you relevant but also open doors to exciting and fulfilling opportunities in the dynamic world of software engineering.